TITLE: Grayground
ARTIST: GRAY
LABEL: AOMG
RELEASED: August 17, 2021
To write that this is Gray’s first full album feels odd. Gray is one of the most sought after producers in South Korea and everyone knows they are in for a treat when you hear that whispered Gray at the beginning of a track. He has been on countless of features and has shows his talents as not only a producer but a vocalist and lyricist. Now we are graced with a full album of Gray and a whole lot of features.
Make Love (feat. Zion.T) – Title Track
I am obsessed with this track. It is a R&B funk/Latin Jazz mash up and it just makes me want to dance. The closest thing I can compare it to is Justin Timberlake’s Let the Groove Get In and I love that. I wish it was longer.
Party For The Night (feat. Loco & LeeHi) – Title Track
LOVE! When Gray and Loco come together it’s always magical. Then you add the amazing vocals by LeeHi… chef’s kiss. This def has the party vibe and that simple hook reminds me of 90’s hip-hop R&B songs.
Show Window (feta. pH-1)
When you have pH-1 on a track you can kind of bank on it being a bop. This has a nice smooth jazz slash neo soul vibe that I’m feeling. The funk sax breakdown is sinful and I love it.
Selfish (feat. Woo)
It’s really fun to see a song take on the personality of the feature. The song feels as lazy as Woo’s rap style and it works.
Rise (feat. DeVita)
I love the EDM feel this one has. It’s very music festival. And DeVita’s voice is perfect for it. Immediately I am reminded of the collabs that Zedd usually does, just in that groovy Gray way.
I Don’t Love You (feat. Coogie)
A more moody hip-hop/rock vibe with this one. It’s more autotuned than I would usually like but I’m so obsessed with Coogie that I can forgive it.
Close 2 U (feat. punchnello)
Another track that has that smooth R&B feel but just like Show Window, the song is really influenced by the rap style of the feature. punchnello has a rougher feel and the song reflects that. Song feels like a good glass of wine. Smooth with a little bite.
Ready To Love (feat. Hoody)
Now you know when you get the Queen of AOMG on a track that it was going to be amazing. Gray and Hoody have already proved when they collab that it’s some good shit. This is no exception. The instrumental is insane and Hoody’s vocals on the chorus are just beautiful. Just give me a full album of these two, please. It’s all I ask.
Eternal Sunshine (없던 일로 해) (feat. meenoi)
I never knew that I needed a collaboration between Gray and Sam Kim, but here I am, in love. This R&B ballad just feels like a blanket on a cool fall day. Add in meenoi’s ethereal vocals and that sexy saxophone solo… and you have Eternal Sunshine.
Baby Don’t Cry (feat. YUMDDA)
Another party track that is upbeat and giving tropical vibes. I mean, you can’t not have fun on a track when you have SK’s hype man YUMDDA in the back. It feels very DJ Khaled/Drake.
U
The only solo track on the album and I kind of wish there were more of it. It’s a nice mellow track that just lets Gray’s vocals shine through. He’s not the world’s best vocalist but his tone is just comforting. It’s just a comforting love song.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It’s not surprising that Gray’s first full album is one littered with features but at the same time, it is because you would think that he would let his own distinct colors shine through. Even with that, the album seems to share one vision and doesn’t feel disjointed. You can see that Gray print all throughout. The way he experimented with the instrumentals didn’t feel dated and just showed his vast knowledge of just music. Definitely a no skip album if you are into the whole K-Hip-Hop/R&B scene. And even if you’re not, it’s a good listen.
PRODUCTION : 4.5 / 5
VOCALS / RAPPING : 3.5 / 5
VISUALS / CONCEPT : 4 / 5
OVERALL: 4 / 5
Favorite Track(s): Party For The Night, Ready To Love
Unbothered Unnies 